AIBU to think that the majority of people on here are middle class and high earners?

[Kaylasmum49]

Just curious.

@OHolyTights

I think there is a mix on here. I like a mix. I do not like PLU thinking at all, from anyone.

Hopefully some of the people who look down on and stereotype supermarket workers and so on will be having their perceptions and prejudices challenged in these strange times. Our delivery driver this week usually works as a pilot for a major airline, for example. He's enjoying the mix of people at his new work too, colleagues and customers.

He was interviewed on tv! Seemed like a really decent chap.

Also the people that think that think that social housing is free, and that reverse snobbery is worse. Fucking wankers.

I’d read what people put on here with a pinch of salt. Over the years I have came to the conclusion. Lots of readers are couples earning 200k between them, but they think they’re poor lol. Live in a 650k house in London. Send their children to the most exclusive schools. But only spend 50 quid on each child at Christmas lol 😆

If they’re earning 200k I would imagine they’d have a slightly more impressive house than one costing £650k.

As a very working class kid who did good- I used to earn 30k in the NW which was more than pretty much all of my friends.
I lost my job in may - I'm now on universal credit which is just under £500 a month.

@NaturesEnd

Also the people that think that think that social housing is free, and that reverse snobbery is worse. Fucking wankers.

I haven't come across anyone who thinks social housing is free. How could they?

You come across snobbery in all strata of society unfortunately.

@Pringlespop

I’d read what people put on here with a pinch of salt. Over the years I have came to the conclusion. Lots of readers are couples earning 200k between them, but they think they’re poor lol. Live in a 650k house in London. Send their children to the most exclusive schools. But only spend 50 quid on each child at Christmas lol 😆

That makes sense. Spending huge amounts on children is vulgar.

@Waxonwaxoff0

Or "go to couples counselling" on the relationships board. Private counselling costs a bloody fortune

There are low cost counselling/therapy services available. Suggesting counselling when a couple are having relationship problems isn't assuming you have loads of money.

I volunteer with an organisation who even offer some free couples counselling for those on very low incomes.

@Gmom

No I don't think there are a lot of high earners on Mumsnet. Only a small minority.

People frequently pluck a figure from the ether and pretend.

As well as the very high earners...there are lots of posters on benefits, claiming tax credits and earning minimum wage.

I see threads where the SM wants the child maintenance adjusted as their stepchild is staying over a few more days and the food costs are difficult.

I certainly wouldn't say high earners are the majority on MN at all.

Even where someone doesn't explicitly state their earnings, its obvious from the job they do that they wouldn't be in a high income bracket.

Most of the key worker jobs (which a lot of people do) are not in the high flying income bracket.

We are on a combined income of 90k but I feel impoverished sometimes on Mumsnet. We don't have lots of spare cash. Supporting 21 year old at mo so she can stay at uni as no jobs and she gets minimal student loan.

See people are always saying there’s a lot of snobbery on MN, but tbh I see a lot more reverse snobbery - including on this thread.

While you express a nice sentiment, the reality is that poverty and happiness are not compatible. Honestly, girls (and boys) need to be taught to aim higher, because warm, fuzzy happiness follows financial stability, it doesn’t precede it.

The reality is that wealth and happiness are often not compatible either. As for "poverty" - how do you define poverty? If you knew my circumstances I'm sure you would class me as being very poor indeed - however I am more content and happy than most of the people I know. I don't have children, but if I did there are many qualities I would try to instil ahead of being money driven, which probably wouldn't even make the list at all. I find it rather sad that there are still people who believe the pursuit of money always leads to happiness.

I'm foreign so can't really judge, but holy moly you lot are class obsessed

I'm foreign too, and think the same.

I'm foreign so can't really judge, but holy moly you lot are class obsessed

I'm foreign too, and think the same

Class is the condition of the UK. Whether people accept or reject it is irrelevant: it exists.

I'd bet a pound to penny that social stratification exists where you come from. This does not make your country better or worse, by the way.

Well what about the celebrity mums we have on here? They clearly have 5 ovens, a Nanny, gigantic car and designer clothes coming out their arse, I however will stick to my 30 K a year nursing wage and my Asda clothes

@lovelemoncurd

We are on a combined income of 90k but I feel impoverished sometimes on Mumsnet. We don't have lots of spare cash. Supporting 21 year old at mo so she can stay at uni as no jobs and she gets minimal student loan.

Same here, supporting my eldest 2 through Uni on my wage only of 30K with no help from their dad.

I'd bet a pound to penny that social stratification exists where you come from. This does not make your country better or worse, by the way.

Nothing like the way class exists in the UK. People are either wealthy or not, no-one describes themselves as belonging to any class and while there are of course some who think they are better than others we all know that they are not! It's just really strange to those of us looking on from more egalitarian societies.

Joint income of about 58K here. We struggle. We have to have two cars as DH commutes, nothing fancy can't afford new cars they are both old and on finance. Average 3 bed house with bugger all storage no front garden or garage but nice area so our council tax is eye watering. Childcare cost are eye watering here too. No holidays for years just can't afford it. I don't know how others do it.

I'd be interested to know what defines a middle class mumsnetter.

@nosleepmonkey that's too similar to us not to reply. Even the bugger all storage - what's with that! We're always saying, but we earn ok money how can we be scraping by! When you don't have to pay childcare you'll find things a lot easier. We've got Dd at school and ds on free hours now. In the last year we've munched through our debts and got them all paid off, and now we're able to save something. Have followed the principles of Dave Ramsey's baby steps.

@nosleepmonkey

Joint income of about 58K here. We struggle. We have to have two cars as DH commutes, nothing fancy can't afford new cars they are both old and on finance. Average 3 bed house with bugger all storage no front garden or garage but nice area so our council tax is eye watering. Childcare cost are eye watering here too. No holidays for years just can't afford it. I don't know how others do it.

I totally 'get' that. Looking back, we were in similar position for quite a long time except didn't pay for child care (good grandparents). I imagine we would have relocated to a cardboard box if we'd had to pay a sitter or nursery - though did go to school before aged four. It's particularly difficult for those in the London area.

Only consolation - it does get easier eventually.

The reality is that wealth and happiness are often not compatible either. As for "poverty" - how do you define poverty? If you knew my circumstances I'm sure you would class me as being very poor indeed - however I am more content and happy than most of the people I know. I don't have children, but if I did there are many qualities I would try to instil ahead of being money driven, which probably wouldn't even make the list at all. I find it rather sad that there are still people who believe the pursuit of money always leads to happiness.

I don't think anyone is arguing that you can't be poor and happy (same as they aren't arguing that you can't be rich and unhappy), but that it is easier to be happy if you have money because you've removed the worry of not being able to afford basics.

I'm definitely happier now I'm on a slightly higher income, just knowing that (unless something goes horribly wrong) I can afford food and bills every month makes a huge difference. I will say that being poor was slightly easier to cope with when I didn't have kids, it was less stressful when I only had to worry about affording food/bills for myself.

Our household is top 10% though stupidly we've been fighting to get out of debt from when we earned far far less. I'm not sure why there are assumptions about looking down on others though? I mean members of my own family earn far less or far more. We don't exactly talk about it or care either way. Same with my friends - some already have two houses (we are mid 30s), some are still renting a flat. We all sort of know where we are compared to one another depending on property type/location but we are in London so it's pretty obvious the person with a chichi flat right next to the Tate must be earning more. Or just have different life choices - e.g. no kids / childcare costs.

Depends on your circle as well- my job means I come into contact with all sorts from people claiming benefits to people running financial institutions. I imagine you can get stuck in your bubble easily in some circs.

Take a look at the number of people who say “Gosh” on here. I hardly ever see the word outside of MN yet it’s ubiquitous on this forum. I would take a guess that the people who use it are trying to keep up with Jones somewhat and it’s a small indicator of the type of attitude that’s very common on here.

Gosh!